Was she going insane? Perhaps—but Esdeath didn't mind the feeling.
Under her father's teachings, Esdeath had known the significance of power since childhood. Her father had paid with his life to impart a single, unshakable truth: In this world, strength is everything.
Later, as she wandered alone, the harshness of that truth was constantly reinforced. She still remembered the miserable fates of those helpless girls captured by slave merchants—while she, because of her strength, lived comfortably.
Others had once begged her for help, but she'd coldly refused. When those people cried out in anguish, asking her "why," Esdeath responded with nothing but scornful laughter.
Why? Because weakness invites cruelty, and strength commands respect.
Everywhere she lingered, locals whispered and condemned her beliefs. She didn't care—was she wrong? Wasn't this exactly how the seemingly orderly Empire functioned? Nobles oppressed merchants, merchants exploited commoners, and commoners enslaved those even weaker…
She merely spoke plainly the ruthless reality hidden beneath the Empire's polished facade.
She couldn't understand those self-deceiving hypocrites, nor did she care to converse with them. Those short-sighted fools, even if temporarily stronger, would inevitably be surpassed. Once she outstripped them, she'd rule over them. It was that simple.
When that man first invited her, she'd rejected him without hesitation. Back then, even seeking temporary shelter meant choosing the strongest available—the Empire itself!
But soon after joining the Imperial Army, she realized it was painfully dull.
The Empire was too peaceful. Even the chaotic West had been subdued by that man. If she joined the army now, she'd never have a chance to prove her strength. Just then, that unexpected invitation appeared once more.
"Set aside those empty ideals. You crave strength! You desire power! I can give you everything you hunger for—if only you submit!"
"I refuse!"
It was the second time Esdeath turned down his offer. Yes, she desired strength—but she wouldn't bow to a man who'd demonstrated nothing to earn her respect.
Unexpectedly, the man soon became a fugitive wanted for assassinating the Emperor.
And at that moment came his third invitation:
"The war you desire is upon us! Cooperate with me, and I'll grant you the strength you seek—and a chance to face that man!"
"What's the price?"
"All I ask is that you defeat him!"
Esdeath trusted no favors without cost, yet she couldn't deny her heart had stirred. Even if a trap awaited, she had to seize the chance. And indeed, she succeeded—gaining power enough to finally challenge him!
Watching Lancer's solemn expression reflected in the icy crystals as he raced through her frozen labyrinth, Esdeath felt incomparable pleasure. Finally, the man who refused to acknowledge her would be forced to see her clearly.
But suddenly, he surged directly toward her hiding place. At first, she was unconcerned; after all, he'd passed nearby several times already. But this time was different—this time, he seemed utterly certain of her exact position.
How? What gave her away?
Multiple ice mirrors encircled her like surveillance cameras. Then, at last, she saw the culprit.
Above her head was a spatial rift—and from it extended a pair of sinister hands…
HONEST!!
She didn't know why that man had betrayed her, but only Honest had a subordinate who could manipulate dimensions like this.
Once I've finished here, I'll tear you limb from limb!
As rage filled Esdeath's heart, the strange markings climbing her neck rapidly spread upward. These markings had appeared ever since she drank that Teigu, steadily growing over time. She didn't fully understand them, but she knew her occasional losses of control were linked to this ominous pattern.
Esdeath knew instinctively—this was the price she paid for her new power.
So, even as a Teigu, the demon refuses to rest? You wish to seize my body? Fine—come then, if you dare!!
The more she used her power, the closer she crept toward losing herself. Yet would she retreat?
Never!
Strength was strength! Did a mere Danger Beast, dead for a thousand years, really believe it could overpower her?
Dream on!
Lancer's lance pierced through the ice, its deadly point mere inches from her heart. As desperation closed in, the strange markings surged, climbing higher on her skin, and the air around them grew colder still.
Pure, transparent ice rapidly engulfed the lance tip, racing down the shaft toward Lancer himself.
On the other side, Lancer had no idea why Esdeath had suddenly revealed herself, but he knew this chance couldn't be wasted. Even as his right arm lost all sensation, he refused to loosen his grip. Facing countless shards of ice flying toward him from every direction, he instantly activated his Teigu.
The blood-red cloak solidified into a protective barrier around him.
Victory was his!
"[BREAK]!!"
But just then, a low voice resonated sharply in his ears. Lancer suddenly felt his cloak—his trusted defense—severed from his control.
Crack—!
Splurch—!
The completely frozen lance shattered instantly. At the same moment, ice encased Lancer's right arm—but it didn't matter anymore. His objective had already been accomplished.
His frozen right arm pierced directly through Esdeath's heart.
Though he couldn't feel the warmth of her blood, he knew she was finished. Yet before he could draw even a relieved breath—
Splurch—!
Splurch—!
Splurch—!
Countless spikes of ice pierced his body—shoulders, sides, abdomen.
In a mere heartbeat, Lancer's body was impaled by countless icy lances, pinning him brutally next to Esdeath's corpse. Their blood mixed, staining the battlefield crimson. Behind him, the blood-red cloak was dyed even darker, almost radiant in the pooled blood.
"Hahaha!! Hahaha!!!"
Suddenly, crazed laughter echoed across the battlefield. Honest stood beside the pair of corpses, his face twisted in ecstatic triumph.
He'd won!!
In this war, he alone emerged victorious!
The Empire's strongest Teigu was shattered!
The monstrous woman he himself created was dead!
The only "Executioner" capable of threatening him lay lifeless!
Two jewels remained in his Teigu—two more Imperial Arms to break—and then none could stand against him. With multiple Teigu at his disposal, his triumph was assured.
This Empire now belonged to him!
---
T/N: NOOO ESDEATH!!!!
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